Effect of glucocorticoids on release of lysosomal enzymes in liver ischemia and hemorrhagic shock in pigs

The effect of glucocorticoids on the release of lysosomal enzymes was studied in liver ischemia created by dearterialization and in hemorrhagic shock in pigs. In shock the treatment with glucocoticoids suppressed the release of beta-glucosidase and beta-galactosidase into the circulation. The release of S-GOT was also suppressed in the treated group. However, a contrary effect was observed in liver ischemia indicating that glucocorticoids might even be harmful to the dearterialized hypoxic liver. Provided the plasma increase of acid hydrolases can be interpreted as quantitative signs of cell damage, the findings indicate that glucocorticoids may be of benefit in shock but not after hepatic dearterialization.